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Conservative Association chairman and Onnalee Cubitt resign over party snub

THE chairman of the Basing and Lychpit branch of the Basingstoke Conservative Association has resigned after a popular borough councillor was prevented from standing for the party in next month’s borough elections.

Councillor Onnalee Cubitt, borough ward member for Basing, applied four weeks ago to represent the Conservative party in the borough elections, which will be held on May 22.

Cllr Cubitt originally quit the borough Conservative group in May 2012, becoming an Independent, after she spent months on the fringes for her outspoken comments on the Manydown saga.

She criticised the ruling Tory administration for refusing to include the key Basingstoke site in the borough’s Local Plan, which instead proposed thousands of new homes in her Basing ward.

But Cllr Cubitt’s application to be put on the party’s approved candidates list for the 2014 election in Old Basing has been rejected by the Basingstoke Conservative Association.

This means that Cllr Cubitt, who won her seat in 2010 with a majority of 3,200 votes, is unable to be selected by her local branch.

The decision to omit the popular councillor from the approved list means former borough councillor for Chineham, John Downes, will now represent the party at the Basing seat election in May.

Mr Downes was imposed as the candidate by the Hampshire Conservative Federation’s executive committee on April 1, after members at the Basing and Lychpit branch voted to reject his application. The Hampshire Conservative Federation combines the Basingstoke Conservative Association and the East Hampshire Conservative Association.

Now, Basing and Lychpit branch chairman, Tony Fendall has resigned over the saga, pledging his support for Cllr Cubitt, who has now quit the Conservative Party, and will stand for election as an Independent.

Cllr Cubitt told The Gazette: “I have been a Conservative all my life, and I am a local girl and have got huge support.

“Now I am in this ridiculous position where residents want me but I am not allowed to stand as a Conservative because the executive committee ensured I couldn’t stand because they didn’t approve me.

“I have decided to stand as an independent councillor, and I have had overwhelming support over the weekend. I am up for election in May and my residents are happy with what I have done.”

She added: “I want to remain the councillor for the ward of Basing because I have got a lot of work to do in regards to strategic planning.

“The threat is not going away – Taylor Wimpey wants to build on Hodds Farm – and I believe with my knowledge, I can do what is needed to represent the interests of Basing and Basingstoke because as a councillor we are responsible for the whole borough as well.”

Mr Fendall said: “I wanted the best councillor for the ward, and as she (Cllr Cubitt) was not an option to vote for, that left me with no option. I will now put all my efforts into supporting Onnalee Cubitt.”

A spokesman for the Hampshire Conservative Federation said: “Although Cllr Cubitt applied to be re-selected as a Conservative candidate, she was unable to give sufficient reassurance that she would not resign again in similar circumstances.

“Thus, it was not possible to add her name to the list of approved candidates for 2014, although it was made clear to her that this might not be the case in the future.

“Only approved candidates can be authorised to stand as Conservative candidates. The local party has selected John Downes, a resident of Lychpit with previous experience as a councillor, to stand for the Basing ward this May.”

Do you have a view on this story? Have your say by writing to The Letters Editor, The Gazette, Pelton Road, Basingstoke, RG21 6YD, email editor@basingstokegazette.co.uk, or comment online at basingstokegazette.co.uk/ news.

Comments

Sam_Walker123456
1:59pm Mon 14 Apr 14

'A spokesman for the Hampshire Conservative Federation said: “Although Cllr Cubitt applied to be re-selected as a Conservative candidate, she was unable to give sufficient reassurance that she would not resign again in similar circumstances.
“Thus, it was not possible to add her name to the list of approved candidates for 2014, although it was made clear to her that this might not be the case in the future.'
In other words we want a candidate who cannot think for themselves and will toe the party line regardless of the rights and wrongs of a situation.
Cllr Cubitt, as an independent candidate, you will now receive my support at the ballot box.

'A spokesman for the Hampshire Conservative Federation said: “Although Cllr Cubitt applied to be re-selected as a Conservative candidate, she was unable to give sufficient reassurance that she would not resign again in similar circumstances.
“Thus, it was not possible to add her name to the list of approved candidates for 2014, although it was made clear to her that this might not be the case in the future.'
In other words we want a candidate who cannot think for themselves and will toe the party line regardless of the rights and wrongs of a situation.
Cllr Cubitt, as an independent candidate, you will now receive my support at the ballot box.Sam_Walker123456

'A spokesman for the Hampshire Conservative Federation said: “Although Cllr Cubitt applied to be re-selected as a Conservative candidate, she was unable to give sufficient reassurance that she would not resign again in similar circumstances.
“Thus, it was not possible to add her name to the list of approved candidates for 2014, although it was made clear to her that this might not be the case in the future.'
In other words we want a candidate who cannot think for themselves and will toe the party line regardless of the rights and wrongs of a situation.
Cllr Cubitt, as an independent candidate, you will now receive my support at the ballot box.

Score: 20

robertspet8
2:07pm Mon 14 Apr 14

Let me get this right - the Conservatives in Hampshire continue to back our disgraced MP, Maria Miller, but refuse to back Onnalee Cubitt because there is a risk that she might stick to her principles in the future!

Let me get this right - the Conservatives in Hampshire continue to back our disgraced MP, Maria Miller, but refuse to back Onnalee Cubitt because there is a risk that she might stick to her principles in the future!robertspet8

Let me get this right - the Conservatives in Hampshire continue to back our disgraced MP, Maria Miller, but refuse to back Onnalee Cubitt because there is a risk that she might stick to her principles in the future!

Score: 31

Pacifier
4:27pm Mon 14 Apr 14

Oh my goodness...A Tory Councillor doing what she believes is right for those who elected her, and not as she's ordered by the bullying Tory group....whatever next?? Have the Tories in Winklebury maintained their stand against development of Manydown, or have they cowtowed to their Tory dictators!? Time to ditch some of these arrogant councillors me thinks.

Oh my goodness...A Tory Councillor doing what she believes is right for those who elected her, and not as she's ordered by the bullying Tory group....whatever next?? Have the Tories in Winklebury maintained their stand against development of Manydown, or have they cowtowed to their Tory dictators!? Time to ditch some of these arrogant councillors me thinks.Pacifier

Oh my goodness...A Tory Councillor doing what she believes is right for those who elected her, and not as she's ordered by the bullying Tory group....whatever next?? Have the Tories in Winklebury maintained their stand against development of Manydown, or have they cowtowed to their Tory dictators!? Time to ditch some of these arrogant councillors me thinks.

Score: 12

c.sandelands
5:32pm Mon 14 Apr 14

Agreed. I'm voting UKIP.

Agreed. I'm voting UKIP.c.sandelands

Agreed. I'm voting UKIP.

Score: -8

ELLIS17
5:35pm Mon 14 Apr 14

Once again the local Conservative Association appears to out of touch with the real world, you can only stand as a local councillor if you do as your told and vote as per our instructions, you are not allowed to fight for what you believe in, or have a mind of your own. Hopefully the electors will bring them in to the real world come the elections.

Once again the local Conservative Association appears to out of touch with the real world, you can only stand as a local councillor if you do as your told and vote as per our instructions, you are not allowed to fight for what you believe in, or have a mind of your own. Hopefully the electors will bring them in to the real world come the elections.ELLIS17

Once again the local Conservative Association appears to out of touch with the real world, you can only stand as a local councillor if you do as your told and vote as per our instructions, you are not allowed to fight for what you believe in, or have a mind of your own. Hopefully the electors will bring them in to the real world come the elections.

Score: 8

Cillalaithe
7:53pm Mon 14 Apr 14

I think it is a complete disgrace that politics have reached such depths that the Conservativrs are no longer interested in what their electors want and need for their borough.We need more councillors like Onnalee Cubitt,who will not be bullied and will stand up for what they believe.i hope all the electors in Old Basing will support Onnalee and vote for her and give her every support possible.Cillalaithe
.

I think it is a complete disgrace that politics have reached such depths that the Conservativrs are no longer interested in what their electors want and need for their borough.We need more councillors like Onnalee Cubitt,who will not be bullied and will stand up for what they believe.i hope all the electors in Old Basing will support Onnalee and vote for her and give her every support possible.Cillalaithe
.Cillalaithe

I think it is a complete disgrace that politics have reached such depths that the Conservativrs are no longer interested in what their electors want and need for their borough.We need more councillors like Onnalee Cubitt,who will not be bullied and will stand up for what they believe.i hope all the electors in Old Basing will support Onnalee and vote for her and give her every support possible.Cillalaithe
.

Score: 4

ronnie03
8:39pm Mon 14 Apr 14

This is yet another example of how political parties of all persuasions have ruined local councils. If only we could return to the days when many councillors were chosen for their local knowledge and their genuine interest in the people they represented and when countless independent candidates were thus elected. It's no wonder that voting figures are always so low in the country.

This is yet another example of how political parties of all persuasions have ruined local councils. If only we could return to the days when many councillors were chosen for their local knowledge and their genuine interest in the people they represented and when countless independent candidates were thus elected. It's no wonder that voting figures are always so low in the country.ronnie03

This is yet another example of how political parties of all persuasions have ruined local councils. If only we could return to the days when many councillors were chosen for their local knowledge and their genuine interest in the people they represented and when countless independent candidates were thus elected. It's no wonder that voting figures are always so low in the country.

Score: 12

cllrsmw
12:57am Tue 15 Apr 14

ELLIS17 wrote…

Once again the local Conservative Association appears to out of touch with the real world, you can only stand as a local councillor if you do as your told and vote as per our instructions, you are not allowed to fight for what you believe in, or have a mind of your own. Hopefully the electors will bring them in to the real world come the elections.

This is exactly why I walked out of the Conservative Party in 2012. It seems like they have learned nothing since then.

Cllr Stephen West

[quote][p][bold]ELLIS17[/bold] wrote:
Once again the local Conservative Association appears to out of touch with the real world, you can only stand as a local councillor if you do as your told and vote as per our instructions, you are not allowed to fight for what you believe in, or have a mind of your own. Hopefully the electors will bring them in to the real world come the elections.[/p][/quote]This is exactly why I walked out of the Conservative Party in 2012. It seems like they have learned nothing since then.
Cllr Stephen Westcllrsmw

ELLIS17 wrote…

Once again the local Conservative Association appears to out of touch with the real world, you can only stand as a local councillor if you do as your told and vote as per our instructions, you are not allowed to fight for what you believe in, or have a mind of your own. Hopefully the electors will bring them in to the real world come the elections.

This is exactly why I walked out of the Conservative Party in 2012. It seems like they have learned nothing since then.

Cllr Stephen West

Score: -1

Upontheroof
9:58am Tue 15 Apr 14

Basingstoke Conservative Association really need to get a grip of what is going on around them. Are they really aware of what they are doing and how they put themselves across? - Poor show ....

Basingstoke Conservative Association really need to get a grip of what is going on around them. Are they really aware of what they are doing and how they put themselves across? - Poor show ....Upontheroof

Basingstoke Conservative Association really need to get a grip of what is going on around them. Are they really aware of what they are doing and how they put themselves across? - Poor show ....

Score: 10

Peter H.
4:23pm Tue 15 Apr 14

I wish her every success. There’s always room for a good quality, Independent councillor.

Being wedded to the community, rather than a national party and some distant dogma, is something we can welcome.

I wish her every success. There’s always room for a good quality, Independent councillor.
Being wedded to the community, rather than a national party and some distant dogma, is something we can welcome.Peter H.

I wish her every success. There’s always room for a good quality, Independent councillor.

Being wedded to the community, rather than a national party and some distant dogma, is something we can welcome.

Score: 8

Jonty11
12:58pm Wed 16 Apr 14

Having real principles and sticking by them is what we want to see our elected representatives do for us......

However, politically, if Manydown could offer the Conservatives several Conservative seats at a time when the Council is in no overall control

- and you had another Member who had knowingly been "a loose cannon" on that specific topic and could cause political damage, would you really opt for one Member versus the potential of several at a time when you could lose control of the Council as a political party?

I'm not in (or really support) any political party (before you ask!) but its a basic question of numbers, at a time when numbers count!

Having real principles and sticking by them is what we want to see our elected representatives do for us......
However, politically, if Manydown could offer the Conservatives several Conservative seats at a time when the Council is in no overall control
- and you had another Member who had knowingly been "a loose cannon" on that specific topic and could cause political damage, would you really opt for one Member versus the potential of several at a time when you could lose control of the Council as a political party?
I'm not in (or really support) any political party (before you ask!) but its a basic question of numbers, at a time when numbers count!Jonty11

Having real principles and sticking by them is what we want to see our elected representatives do for us......

However, politically, if Manydown could offer the Conservatives several Conservative seats at a time when the Council is in no overall control

- and you had another Member who had knowingly been "a loose cannon" on that specific topic and could cause political damage, would you really opt for one Member versus the potential of several at a time when you could lose control of the Council as a political party?

I'm not in (or really support) any political party (before you ask!) but its a basic question of numbers, at a time when numbers count!

Score: -5

Pacifier
1:51pm Wed 16 Apr 14

Interesting....I'll either vote Independent or UKIP next month...if a political party will put grasping desperately onto power rather than the interests of the borough they deserve to be kicked out en masse...I hope the voters in Winklebury will kick every tory out in May...what a disgraceful bunch

Interesting....I'll either vote Independent or UKIP next month...if a political party will put grasping desperately onto power rather than the interests of the borough they deserve to be kicked out en masse...I hope the voters in Winklebury will kick every tory out in May...what a disgraceful bunchPacifier

Interesting....I'll either vote Independent or UKIP next month...if a political party will put grasping desperately onto power rather than the interests of the borough they deserve to be kicked out en masse...I hope the voters in Winklebury will kick every tory out in May...what a disgraceful bunch

Score: -4

OvercrowdedCountry
11:53am Fri 18 Apr 14

Jonty11 wrote…

Having real principles and sticking by them is what we want to see our elected representatives do for us......

However, politically, if Manydown could offer the Conservatives several Conservative seats at a time when the Council is in no overall control

- and you had another Member who had knowingly been "a loose cannon" on that specific topic and could cause political damage, would you really opt for one Member versus the potential of several at a time when you could lose control of the Council as a political party?

I'm not in (or really support) any political party (before you ask!) but its a basic question of numbers, at a time when numbers count!

We don't want any party having overall control. That's what is called (but only when it occurs in other countries) "dictatorship". We want mature councillors who will work together for the benefit of the whole of Basingstoke. But unfortunately what we get is a miniature version of the childish politics which are practiced in Westminster. We need more independent councillors, who can represent the views and concerns of their voters.

[quote][p][bold]Jonty11[/bold] wrote:
Having real principles and sticking by them is what we want to see our elected representatives do for us......
However, politically, if Manydown could offer the Conservatives several Conservative seats at a time when the Council is in no overall control
- and you had another Member who had knowingly been "a loose cannon" on that specific topic and could cause political damage, would you really opt for one Member versus the potential of several at a time when you could lose control of the Council as a political party?
I'm not in (or really support) any political party (before you ask!) but its a basic question of numbers, at a time when numbers count![/p][/quote]We don't want any party having overall control. That's what is called (but only when it occurs in other countries) "dictatorship". We want mature councillors who will work together for the benefit of the whole of Basingstoke. But unfortunately what we get is a miniature version of the childish politics which are practiced in Westminster. We need more independent councillors, who can represent the views and concerns of their voters.OvercrowdedCountry

Jonty11 wrote…

Having real principles and sticking by them is what we want to see our elected representatives do for us......

However, politically, if Manydown could offer the Conservatives several Conservative seats at a time when the Council is in no overall control

- and you had another Member who had knowingly been "a loose cannon" on that specific topic and could cause political damage, would you really opt for one Member versus the potential of several at a time when you could lose control of the Council as a political party?

I'm not in (or really support) any political party (before you ask!) but its a basic question of numbers, at a time when numbers count!

We don't want any party having overall control. That's what is called (but only when it occurs in other countries) "dictatorship". We want mature councillors who will work together for the benefit of the whole of Basingstoke. But unfortunately what we get is a miniature version of the childish politics which are practiced in Westminster. We need more independent councillors, who can represent the views and concerns of their voters.

Score: 5

Town Guard
7:31am Mon 21 Apr 14

Cllr Cubitt would do well to look at her old election leaflets, which were full of nonsense about how voting for her would mean no development on Manydown and no development east of Basingstoke. Considering how things have turned out, then perhaps she will do the decent thing and resign.

Cllr Cubitt would do well to look at her old election leaflets, which were full of nonsense about how voting for her would mean no development on Manydown and no development east of Basingstoke. Considering how things have turned out, then perhaps she will do the decent thing and resign.Town Guard

Cllr Cubitt would do well to look at her old election leaflets, which were full of nonsense about how voting for her would mean no development on Manydown and no development east of Basingstoke. Considering how things have turned out, then perhaps she will do the decent thing and resign.

Score: 2

Dr Elsayed Omar Selim
8:43pm Tue 13 May 14

As the prospective Independent Candidate for Basingstoke, and have been since 1997, I would urge the voters in Basingstoke to vote Independent- a TRUE Independent.
Since Cubitt is a TRUE Tory ( all her life as she put it) I will not vote for her on May 22nd. And as what she has or has not done for Old Basing ward this is something for the ward's residents to debate and take a stand- but I personally think she was a disappointment.
We need councillors who have solid principles not those who toe their party line no matter what.

As the prospective Independent Candidate for Basingstoke, and have been since 1997, I would urge the voters in Basingstoke to vote Independent- a TRUE Independent.
Since Cubitt is a TRUE Tory ( all her life as she put it) I will not vote for her on May 22nd. And as what she has or has not done for Old Basing ward this is something for the ward's residents to debate and take a stand- but I personally think she was a disappointment.
We need councillors who have solid principles not those who toe their party line no matter what.Dr Elsayed Omar Selim

As the prospective Independent Candidate for Basingstoke, and have been since 1997, I would urge the voters in Basingstoke to vote Independent- a TRUE Independent.
Since Cubitt is a TRUE Tory ( all her life as she put it) I will not vote for her on May 22nd. And as what she has or has not done for Old Basing ward this is something for the ward's residents to debate and take a stand- but I personally think she was a disappointment.
We need councillors who have solid principles not those who toe their party line no matter what.

Score: -1

Pacifier
10:06pm Tue 13 May 14

Dr Elsayed Omar Selim wrote…

As the prospective Independent Candidate for Basingstoke, and have been since 1997, I would urge the voters in Basingstoke to vote Independent- a TRUE Independent.
Since Cubitt is a TRUE Tory ( all her life as she put it) I will not vote for her on May 22nd. And as what she has or has not done for Old Basing ward this is something for the ward's residents to debate and take a stand- but I personally think she was a disappointment.
We need councillors who have solid principles not those who toe their party line no matter what.

What a sad pathetic appeal for a few votes, I'm sure voters will see your remarks for what they are and put their X anywhere but next to you name.

[quote][p][bold]Dr Elsayed Omar Selim[/bold] wrote:
As the prospective Independent Candidate for Basingstoke, and have been since 1997, I would urge the voters in Basingstoke to vote Independent- a TRUE Independent.
Since Cubitt is a TRUE Tory ( all her life as she put it) I will not vote for her on May 22nd. And as what she has or has not done for Old Basing ward this is something for the ward's residents to debate and take a stand- but I personally think she was a disappointment.
We need councillors who have solid principles not those who toe their party line no matter what.[/p][/quote]What a sad pathetic appeal for a few votes, I'm sure voters will see your remarks for what they are and put their X anywhere but next to you name.Pacifier

Dr Elsayed Omar Selim wrote…

As the prospective Independent Candidate for Basingstoke, and have been since 1997, I would urge the voters in Basingstoke to vote Independent- a TRUE Independent.
Since Cubitt is a TRUE Tory ( all her life as she put it) I will not vote for her on May 22nd. And as what she has or has not done for Old Basing ward this is something for the ward's residents to debate and take a stand- but I personally think she was a disappointment.
We need councillors who have solid principles not those who toe their party line no matter what.

What a sad pathetic appeal for a few votes, I'm sure voters will see your remarks for what they are and put their X anywhere but next to you name.

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